n. [ OE. planete, F. planète, L. planeta, fr. Gr. &unr_;, and &unr_; a planet; prop. wandering, fr. &unr_; to wander, fr. &unr_; a wandering. ] 1. (Astron.) A celestial body which revolves about the sun in an orbit of a moderate degree of eccentricity. It is distinguished from a comet by the absence of a coma, and by having a less eccentric orbit. See Solar system. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The term planet was first used to distinguish those stars which have an apparent motion through the constellations from the fixed stars, which retain their relative places unchanged. The inferior planets are Mercury and Venus, which are nearer to the sun than is the earth; the superior planets are Mars, the asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, which are farther from the sun than is the earth. Primary planets are those which revolve about the sun; secondary planets, or moons, are those which revolve around the primary planets as satellites, and at the same time revolve with them about the sun. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A star, as influencing the fate of a men. [ 1913 Webster ]

There's some ill planet reigns. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Planet gear. (Mach.) See Epicyclic train, under Epicyclic. --
Planet wheel, a gear wheel which revolves around the wheel with which it meshes, in an epicyclic train. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL.: cf. F. planétaire. See Planetary. ] An orrery. See Orrery. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. L. planetarius an astrologer, F. planétaire planetary. See Planet. ] 1. Of or pertaining to the planets; as, planetary inhabitants; planetary motions; planetary year. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Consisting of planets; as, a planetary system. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Astrol.) Under the dominion or influence of a planet. “Skilled in the planetary hours.” Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Caused by planets. “A planetary plague.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Having the nature of a planet; erratic; revolving; wandering. “Erratical and planetary life.” Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

Planetary days, the days of the week as shared among the planets known to the ancients, each having its day. Hutton. --
Planetary nebula, a nebula exhibiting a uniform disk, like that of a planet. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Belonging to planets. [ R. ] Young. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. planeticus, Gr. &unr_;. ] Of or pertaining to planets. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Planet + -oid. ] (Astron.) A body resembling a planet; an asteroid. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to a planetoid. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Affected by the influence of planets; blasted. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Like planet-stricken men of yore
He trembles, smitten to the core
By strong compunction and remorse. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A little planet. [ R. ] Conybeare. [ 1913 Webster ]